Henry David Thoreau Quotations: READING, WRITING & WRITERS
The newspapers are the ruling power. What Congress does is an after-clap.—
Journal, 17 November 1850
The penny-post is, commonly, an institution through which you seriously offer a man that penny for his thoughts which is so often safely offered in jest. And I am sure that I never read any memorable news in a newspaper.—Walden
The philosophy and poetry and religion of such a mankind are not worth the dust of a puffball.—"Life without Principle"
The poem is drawn out from under the feet of the poet, his whole weight has rested on this ground.—Journal, January 1840
The poet cherishes his chagrins and sets his sighs to music.—Journal, 1 June 1853
The poet deals with his privatest experience.—Journal, 8 April 1854
The poet leaves not a single chord untouched if the reader will but yield himself up to his influence.—"L' Allegro & il Penseroso"
The poet or the artist never had so fair and noble a design but some of his posterity at least could accomplish it.—Walden
The poet says the proper study of mankind is man. I say study to forget all that—take wider views of the universe.—Journal, 2 April 1852
The prosaic mind sees things badly, or with the bodily sense; but the poet sees them clad in beauty, with the spiritual sense.—Journal, 9 December 1859
